menu_open Columnists
Ezgi Akin

Ezgi Akin

Al Monitor

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Turkey seeks Interpol Red Notices for Netanyahu over Gaza flotilla

The Turkish government’s Interpol move comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel over Syria.

friday 9

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a...

20.08.2026 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Sudan ramps up Saudi Arabia, Turkey contacts amid growing Red Sea cooperation

Sudanese officials held parallel talks in Riyadh and Ankara as Saudi Arabia and Turkey deepen security cooperation around the Red Sea and fighting...

17.08.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Libya as US-backed unification push gathers pace

The Turkish foreign minister will hold talks in both Tripoli and Benghazi as Ankara seeks to preserve its military, maritime, energy and commercial...

11.08.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Saudi Arabia for talks with MBS, Pakistan’s Sharif

The visit comes as the three countries ramp up coordination to weather the regional fallout from the Iran war.

06.08.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s defense exports reach record $5.79B in first 7 months of 2026

The country’s defense and aviation exports have risen to $11.2 billion over the last 12 months, according to Turkey's defense industry agency.

04.08.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

What’s behind Turkey’s latest wave of arrests against opposition mayors?

The operations come as Ozgur Ozel’s newly formed party gains momentum.

31.07.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey ready to participate in post-UNIFIL force in Lebanon, Erdogan tells Aoun

Aoun paid a one-day visit to Ankara amid Lebanon's push to secure an Israeli withdrawal and end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

30.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Meet Khalida Boufedech, the first woman to lead Algeria’s parliament

Khalida Boufedech became Algeria’s first woman parliament speaker and the highest-ranking woman to hold constitutional office in the country’s...

29.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties

The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy...

28.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Top ally of Turkey’s Erdogan backs state funding for Ozel’s breakaway party

Devlet Bahceli’s suggestion exposes a more nuanced position within the country’s governing alliance over the ongoing legal crackdown against...

23.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish opposition leader Ozgur Ozel could launch new party by August

Ozgur Ozel’s remarks on a potential new party came as the legal crackdown on the main opposition widened further this week with the arrest and...

15.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Russian couple faces deportation from Turkey after Bible reading at Hagia Sophia

The couple were detained after reading from the Bible inside the Istanbul landmark, which remains one of Christianity’s most important historic...

15.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Egypt expand military ties with cooperation frameworks: What to know

Increasing defense cooperation between Ankara and Cairo comes as Turkey seeks to offset the expanding Greek-Cypriot-Israeli alignment in the Eastern...

13.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

In first, Russia confirms S-400 talks with Turkey amid transfer reports to acquire F-35

On Friday, the Kremlin spokesperson provided the first confirmation that Turkey and Russia have held discussions about Ankara's efforts to resolve the...

10.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence

Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support...

09.07.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale

The US president has announced that sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile batteries will be lifted.

07.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish jets strike al-Shabab targets in Somalia: What to know

A Somali Defense Ministry statement initially said Turkish F-16s carried out strikes on Al-Shabab targets before a later version referred only to...

01.07.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Azerbaijan slam Israel’s Armenian genocide recognition as Yerevan mum

Ankara accused Israel of weaponizing history as Armenia avoided public comment amid delicate regional diplomacy.

29.06.2026 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar

The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown.

23.06.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey captures alleged ISIS-K media chief near Afghanistan-Pakistan border

The capture comes as Turkish authorities intensify raids against Islamic State networks following recent attacks and alleged plots.

17.06.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Erdogan meets Orthodox patriarch amid push for reopening Halki Seminary

The meeting comes ahead of US President Trump’s expected attendance at next month's NATO leaders’ summit in Turkey, after Trump personally urged...

16.06.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Moscow as S-400 sanctions issue returns to fore

The visit comes weeks before Turkey hosts NATO leaders, on the sidelines of which Ankara hopes to reach a deal with Washington over CAATSA sanctions...

15.06.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Greek PM Mitsotakis offers rare nod to Ataturk in Turkey amid maritime row

In a rare reference to Ataturk, a divisive figure in Greece, the Greek premier reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue. 

12.02.2026 50

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan taps Istanbul prosecutor as justice minister in cabinet reshuffle

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday appointed Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek, who has been overseeing the ongoing...

11.02.2026 50

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey, Saudi Arabia ink deal for production of Gokbey helicopters

The deal comes amid advanced talks on Riyadh joining Ankara’s KAAN fighter jet program.

11.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Fidan: Iran nuclear breakout could drag Turkey into regional arms race

The top Turkish diplomat said an Iranian nuclear breakout could push Ankara into a nuclear race but declined to say whether Turkey would pursue its...

10.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Prince William to begin Saudi Arabia visit overshadowed by Epstein scandal

Britain's Prince William will begin Monday his first official visit to Saudi Arabia, aimed at deepening economic cooperation but already overshadowed...

09.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Sudanese nomads trapped as war fuels banditry and ethnic splits

By Eltayeb SiddigNEAR AL-OBEID, Sudan, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Gubara al-Basheer and his family used to traverse Sudan's desert with their camels and ...

09.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Arms production to air defense: Inside $350M Egypt-Turkey military pact

Ankara and Cairo's military framework agreement goes beyond arms sales, reflecting a gradual strategic convergence that includes intelligence sharing...

09.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey arrests two over alleged Mossad espionage ties: What to know

Prosecutors accuse the suspects of providing intelligence for more than a decade, including technical data on communications equipment and...

06.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Exclusive-US shoots down Iranian drone approaching aircraft carrier, official says

Feb 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. military shot down on Tuesday an Iranian drone that approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, a...

03.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Iraq's Maliki says he would welcome decision to replace him as PM candidate

Feb 3 (Reuters) - Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, nominated by a powerful alliance of Shi'ite political parties to return to the...

03.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey determined to take relations with Saudi Arabia to higher level, Erdogan tells crown prince

ANKARA, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday and told him...

03.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Iranian boats approach US-flagged tanker in Strait of Hormuz, maritime sources say

DUBAI, Feb 3 (Reuters) - A group of Iranian gunboats approached a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz north of Oman, maritime sources and a...

03.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Iran seeks nuclear-only US talks, to drop Turkey as host: Source

Iran’s push for a bilateral, nuclear-only format and a possible shift to Oman has frustrated mediators.

03.02.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey emerges as possible host for US-Iran talks: What to know

Turkey is moving to host potential US-Iran talks as Ankara intensifies mediation efforts amid mounting concerns over the fallout of a possible US...

02.02.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Araghchi visits Turkey as Ankara steps up diplomacy in Iran-US standoff

Talks between the top Turkish and Iranian diplomats further clarified red lines but fell short of de-escalation.

30.01.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey arrests 6 in alleged Iran IRGC spy plot involving armed drones

Turkish authorities arrested six people accused of spying for Tehran, as Ankara works on plans to contain security risks and refugee fallout from...

28.01.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey's Fidan to visit UAE as Iran unrest, Gulf tensions intensify

The top Turkish diplomat’s UAE visit coincides with heightened Gaza diplomacy, growing tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, and escalating unrest...

14.01.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Reza Pahlavi: Iran's ex-crown prince dreaming of homecoming

Reza Pahlavi, who as a boy was groomed to be the next shah of imperial Iran but has spent nearly five decades in exile, has emerged as a rallying...

12.01.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey warns against foreign intervention in Iran as Trump mulls options

Ankara is wary of the consequences of potential US strikes on Iran, warning they could trigger wider regional instability.

12.01.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces’ ties with Israel for what he cast as the group's...

08.01.2026 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan denies Turkey informed of US exile offer for Maduro prior to capture

While denying knowledge of a US exile plan for Nicolas Maduro, the Turkish president has been reluctant to directly criticize Washington over...

07.01.2026 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Trump-Erdogan ties pay off for Turkey in 2025 as Ankara pushes for F-35s

Leader-level diplomacy between Ankara and Washington produced selective gains but failed to break the deadlock over defense sanctions imposed for...

31.12.2025 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Somalia’s president heads to Turkey as Israel’s Somaliland recognition rattles region

The Somali leader’s visit comes amid a heightened Turkish-Israeli rivalry, fueled by Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, in the region and beyond.

29.12.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Jet carrying Libyan army chief crashes after departing Ankara

The jet lost contact after departing Ankara, with Turkish authorities launching search and rescue efforts.

23.12.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

US 'not satisfied' with M23 withdrawal from Congo town, official says

Dec 23 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is not satisfied with the Rwanda-backed M23's withdrawal from a strategic town in eastern Congo, a senior...

23.12.2025 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Two CMA CGM vessels navigate the Suez Canal in sign of easing tension

CAIRO, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Two vessels from CMA CGM, the world's third-largest container shipping line, have travelled through the Suez Canal, the...

23.12.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill hundreds of Jews as IS fears grow

By Sam Tobin and Andy BruceLONDON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Two men were found guilty on Tuesday of plotting to kill hundreds in an Islamic State-inspired...

23.12.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin